In yet another decision process, signantia with similar reference are matched. It is in this operation that alternations may be identified. This may be termed the valuation of signata, for it consists in assigning symbolic signata to individual signantia and, when an alternation has been identified, in assigning different relative values to the alternants, some alternant(s) (or class(es) of alternants) being valuated as marked - and characterized by some positively defined privileges of occurrence - and one alternant (or class of alternants) being valuated as unmarked - occurring "elsewhere".
- Andersen (2004), a pag.413